The reelection campaign of President Josiah Bartlet is underway and moving quickly - so quickly that after Bartlet finishes a speech in Unionville, Indiana, Josh Lyman, Toby Ziegler and Donna Moss are accidentally left behind by the motorcade containing C.J. Cregg and the other staffers. The three must find their own way back to Washington, D.C. At the White House, Leo McGarry and Admiral Fitzwallace become anxious when they learn that the country of Qumar has reopened its investigation into the death of one of its officials. Also troubling the staff are the floundering stock market and a casual remark made by First Lady Dr. Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet about the importance of being a mother. Part 1 of 2.

The reelection campaign of President Josiah Bartlet is underway and moving quickly - so quickly that after Bartlet finishes a speech in Unionville, Indiana, Josh Lyman, Toby Ziegler and Donna Moss are accidentally left behind by the motorcade containing C.J. Cregg and the other staffers. The three must find their own way back to Washington, D.C. At the White House, Leo McGarry and Admiral Fitzwallace become anxious when they learn that the country of Qumar has reopened its investigation into the death of one of its officials. Also troubling the staff are the floundering stock market and a casual remark made by First Lady Dr. Abigail "Abbey" Bartlet about the importance of being a mother. Part 2 of 2.

Bartlet's staff prepares a legal team to deal with the inquiry into Bartlet's involvement in the Qumari assassination. The country of Qumar is manufacturing evidence to implicate Israel, which could lead to war. The staffers cautiously approach Leo's ex-wife, attorney Jordon Kendall, to represent Bartlet. Meanwhile, a key judicial ruling on presidential third-party candidates causes trouble for Bartlet's campaign. Josh is upset with his girlfriend, Amy, for accepting a certain job interview. Sam, Toby and Josh concoct a radical new idea to help people pay for college education. And the approval of prospective executive secretary Debbie Fiderer is threatened when new evidence is discovered.

While on a weekend retreat to prepare for the crucial upcoming debates, Bartlet must also deal with an Israeli air attack on Qumar that could cause havoc in the Mideast. Meanwhile, Bartlet's staff recalls the administration's first error-prone days in office.

One day before a debate between Bartlet and his Republican rival, Governor Robert Ritchie, even skeptical Toby must admit that Bartlet is ready. After a debate rehearsal, Toby meets with his ex-wife, Congresswoman Andrea "Andy" Wyatt, who is advising on the campaign. Toby also tells C.J. that Albie Duncan, a rather old, slightly crazy Republican, will help Bartlet deal with the aftermath of the debate. Later, the staff joyously watches Bartlet trounce Ritchie in the debate. Meanwhile, Leo and attorney Jordon Kendall negotiate a peaceful settlement to the escalating Qumar-Israel conflict. And Sam attempts to persuade an idealistic campaign manager, Will Bailey, to remove a recently deceased Democratic candidate from the Presidential ballot.

On Election Day, Bartlet and his staff begin counting exit poll votes across the country. In a conservative California congressional district, the results have important implications for Sam and a maverick Democratic campaign manager, Will Bailey. Meanwhile, Donna meets an intriguing Navy Commander, Jack Ross, who has been transferred to the White House as Deputy Military Aide.

As the White House staffers rejoice after Bartlet's win, the outcome of a bizarre congressional race in a conservative California district provides them with a surprising idea. Toby and his ex-wife, Congresswoman Andrea "Andy" Wyatt, confront a difficult decision on their future. Donna flirts with Navy Lieutenant Commander Jack Ross, who moves into his White House office. And Bartlet attempts to celebrate his victory by spending a romantic night with Abbey. Meanwhile, a coup takes place in Venezuela.

Sam prepares his California congressional campaign and refers talented campaign manager Will Bailey to Toby for a review of Will's speechwriting skills. Meanwhile, C.J. clashes with a reporter who is upset over his new pressroom seat assignment.

C.J. reluctantly returns home to Dayton, Ohio, to speak at her 20th high school class reunion. Her visit includes an encounter with a rich and handsome classmate, Marco Arlens, and the sobering realization that her father, Talmidge, is rapidly deteriorating from Alzheimer's disease. While C.J. confronts her myriad emotions, she can't resist keeping in contact with Toby, who struggles to temporarily replace her during news briefings.

A situation in an unimportant country on the other side of the world has Bartlet and his staff rewriting his address on the eve of his inauguration. Meanwhile, tensions mount between the White House and the Pentagon, and the staff is stunned by a betrayal of one of their own.

En route to California to support Sam's troubled campaign for Congress, Bartlet and his staff debate whether or not to announce a controversial tax plan that might damage Sam's chances in conservative Orange County. Meanwhile, Bartlet must keep abreast of a dangerous U.S. military incursion in a tumultuous African country.

Bartlet waits tensely for the results of a military strike intended to rescue three captive American soldiers in Africa. Meanwhile, Toby tries to help Sam's California congressional campaign, and Josh clashes with Abbey.

Upset because an anti-abortion provision has been attached to a foreign aid bill, Abbey asks Amy to secretly help defeat the bill, which was proposed by Bartlet. Meanwhile, Toby gets into legal trouble when a former classmate exposes a lawbreaking chemical company. Also, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution want to reject Abbey when they learn that her distant relative was more of a pirate than a patriot.

At the end of an 18-hour return trip from Manila, as Air Force One is about to begin its descent into Andrews Air Force Base, a cockpit indicator light leads the crew to believe that the landing gear might not be locked down. The craft stays in the air while the problem can be examined. Tensions in Air Force One and on the ground grow as people become increasingly concerned that someone may have tampered with the airplane.

After a gunman fires three shots at the White House, the staff remains on lockdown. Meanwhile, Bartlet negotiates the return of a downed spy plane. Josh interviews a candidate, Joe Quincy, for associate counsel. And a spirited card game allows everyone to relieve their tension.

A seemingly benign press leak begins a journey that lasts for a day and a night and ends with the discovery of a scandal affecting the uppermost levels of the administration. What the staff doesn't yet know is this is merely the beginning of a chain reaction - and things are about to get considerably worse.

The U.S. is in a heightened state of alert because suspected terrorists have gone missing. Meanwhile, Bartlet struggles with the message that he wants to convey to his youngest daughter Zoey's graduating class at Georgetown University. C.J. must stop reporter Danny Concanon from filing a story. And Charlie decides whether or not to keep a romantic promise he made to Zoey when they were dating.

In the season finale, Bartlet confronts a national crisis on the night of his daughter Zoey's graduation from Georgetown University, forcing him to shut down Washington D.C. and order a fleet to the Persian Gulf. Bartlet also considers executive action that would have been unthinkable just hours earlier. In the midst of the administration's greatest challenge, a conflicted Toby still finds time to savour a personal milestone.